Villager abducted by armed group in Maungtaw

The IEDs seized by security forces in the area clearance operation. Photo: State Counsellor Office’s Information Committee

Acting on a phone tip that claimed an armed group had abducted a villager, security forces conducted an investigation Tuesday night and found out that foreman Herby Roman from Thawunchaung (North) Village in Muangtaw Township was kidnapped by a 17-member armed group.
It was later discovered that the armed group led by Mawlawi Zubaing fired shots and abducted Herby Roman at his home in Thawunchaung Ywathit Village.
Security forces found a bullet shell casing in the kitchen of the abductee and conducting area clearance operations in the eastern portion of Thawunchaung Village.
Security forces also seized two 90-foot long, 4.5-foot wide pieces of cloth commonly used to make uniforms hidden in a thatch plantation near Leikai Village in the township on Monday.
Security forces also seized two activated improvised land mines in bags along with automobile pistons used in making land mines while conducting area clearance operations in the hills near Mayintaung and Hmawtaung.—Myanmar News Agency